TASC3 Frequently Asked Questions
What is TASC3?
TASC3 is an Indefinite Quantity Contract (IQC) with 15 prime contractors.
What are the details of procurement procedures?
A Mission writes a Scope of Work (SOW) and submits it to the TASC3 Cognizant Technical Officer (CTO) for approval. The Mission then writes a Request for a Task Order Proposals (RFTOP) – including the SOW – which the Mission contracts officer then circulates via e-mail to all 15 TASC3 primes requesting a bid. The proposals are reviewed at the Mission level, and the Mission or regional contracts officer awards the task order contract.
What are the ceiling limitations for task orders?
The total overall ceiling for the TASC3 IQC is $1 billion. The maximum aggregate dollar value of task orders awarded to all contractors cannot exceed the contract ceiling. There is no ceiling on individual task orders.
What are performance period limitations for task orders?
The ordering period for the TASC3 IQC is five (5) years from the date of the award of the contract. The contract was awarded on December 13, 2006, and will run through December 12, 2011. A task order can be awarded any time during the ordering period of the TASC3 IQC. The performance period for a task order may not exceed more than five (5) years into the future at the time the order is either awarded or extended by modification. The period of performance for a task order may not go beyond three (3) years after the end of the ordering period (December 2014).
What is an estimated time frame needed for USAID/Washington to review the SOW with budget and approve them prior to being able to release the RFTOP?
The role of the CTO is to certify that the SOW of the task order fits under the overall SOW of the IQC. This is something that can normally be turned around in a day or so. The CTO does not have to approve the budget for the task order.
What is the usual indirect cost used in the TASC proposal budgets?
Indirect costs have already been negotiated under the IQC and are fixed. Indirect costs constitute proprietary information and are not distributed beyond the contracting officers.
Can a non-competitive or sole sourced task order be awarded?
In accordance with Section F.5 of the TASC3 IQC contracts, all Contractors must be contacted and provided the opportunity to be considered before award of all task orders exceeding $2,500 unless the Task Order Contracting Officer determines that one of the following statutory exceptions applies:
- An urgent need exists, and seeking competition would result in unacceptable delays.
- Only one Contractor is capable at the level of quality required because the requirement is unique or highly specialized.
- The order must be issued on a sole-source order basis in the interest of economy and efficiency because it is a logical follow-on to an order already issued under the contract, provided that all awardees were given a fair opportunity to be considered for the original order.
- To satisfy contract minimum award obligations.
- Small business set aside.
Note: When issuing a sole-source award, an SOW must still be written, a budget negotiated, and the task order awarded. Sole-sourcing a task order cuts out the time a panel would spend evaluating proposals.
Where can one get a copy of IQCs contracts for all contractors?
Only Bruce Baltas and Marjan Zanganeh, contracting officers for TASC3, are authorized to send the contracts of the primes under TASC3. They can be reached at bbaltas@usaid.gov and mzanganeh@usaid.gov.
What is a general timeline to compete a task order within TASC3?
A timeline is set by the Missions and depends on the complexity of the procurement and whether it is competitive or not. The Mission writes an RFTOP, sends it to the contractor(s), gives time to respond, evaluates the responses, and makes the award. Historically, this process has taken as little as two weeks or as long as three months.
How specific can one be in eligibility requirements for a contractor and for the key personnel to be hired?
RFTOPs may state as a requirement that the offeror have prior experience in a certain health sector and use local staff.
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